Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-12-08
DAVENPORT'S DARK DEED

A Bariy Black Brute Guilty of MUIR
der--The Victim of a sunday Night
Encounter at the Point Of Death
The Murderer interviewed
The ARGUS one week ago Monday gave
particulars of brutal assault upon
young Irishman named Michael Guckyon,
by big black negro named Toby Alex
ander, The affair occurred in low dive
on East Second street in Davenport,
Both men were drunk. The attack was
wholly unwarranted and unprovoked, and
while it was thought the victim had SUI
fered serious internal injuries, 1t was not
supposed it would result in murder. Such,
however, is probably the case. Guckyon,
who was frightfully pounded about the
head and body not only with the negros
fists but with his boots, is now beyond
hope of recovery. Last night the doctors
gave his case up as hopeless He has
been unconscious almost constantly since
the night of his fearful experience. A
Democrat Gazette reporter interviewed the
probable murderer in the Scott county
Jail yesterday afternoon. When Alexan>
der was Informed that Guckyou was dy-
ing, he viewed the matter with cool indif-
ference. He believes he was fully JUST.
fled in Furnishing Guckyon as he did.
We'll. do you believe you were justi>
fied in killing him or causing his DEATH"
Alexanders eyes flashed and he ex-
claimed. Il did it for protection, and if
stood face to face with the fellow that
wrote that article about me, calling me a
black brute and stating that kicked that
man brutality, believe l would punish
him as l did Guckyon"
Alexander then related the story of his
assault upon Guckyon all of which was
similar to the account published in these
columns, except one thing-he denies
that he gave Guckyon more than one
blow. He stated that Guckyon entered
his house; that he had paid rent there
since last August, and that no one had
the right to enter there and use the vile
language that Guckyon did. 1t was &
surprise to him that Guckyon had re-
ceived such injuries as to result in hi.
death, but he couldn't help it-he de-
served it.
Alexander stated also that he had new.
er before gotten himself into such trou
BILE. His home was in Mt Pleasant-hat
lived there most of the time since he wa
five years old. He came to Davenport
in August last, and had worked for sew
eral citizens 10 that city and Rock Island
After he had related all he knew liz re
gard to his past good character and rep
Observation-Disclosures he lived in
low dive-he stated that if there was an
justice in law. he would have no troubl
to prove in court all that he desired
The newspapers had lied about hin
When the whole matter was explained
public sentiment in regard to him woult
change. He has no remorse for his dee,
Toby Alexander, who will probably b
tried for manslaughter is Il tall African
about twenty-five years of age, and is
mean and ugly in looks as any negro tn,
has ever stood behind the bars in
county jail.
The Democrat Gazette this mornir
says
At o'clolk last evening Officer How
ard and County Attorney Ficke we
called to Guckyon's bedside, as it w
thought the end was near They foul
The Young man out of his head. Or
side was paralyzed and there were pla
evidences of fast approaching dissol
ton. The case is rendered more 81
from the fact that from his bOyhot
Guckyon has been the sole support of
aged mother and his sister toward who
he has always acted in kind and fait
full manner. Though his injury happen
in low dive, Officer Howard says tn
he never saw the man under the inf
ence of intOXicants nor in similar pla
before.
Guckyon was born in Davenport, q
is quite well known in Rock Island.
is rope maker by trade, and has wol
ed in the Davenport Rope works fol-
great many years.